to think that doctor's receptionists should have a little bit of empathy?

[oldmcdonalds]

Yes I can appreciate they get a hard time from some members of the public, and I know its a generalisation, but usually if you are in a doctor's surgery you are likely to be ill, worried, stressed, nervous or all of the above!
It would be nice if they could appreciate that.

I had to leave this morning because she made me cry, over something that was easily fixable.
I'm now so worked up and just want to cry.

No wonder she is rude if you go around gloating that you 'tore her to shreds'

I worked at a GP practice for about 18 months and saw the receptionists take the most unbelievable amount of shit. Admittedly it was a pretty extreme surgery to work in, but the staff regularly received threats to kill and the police were called on an almost daily basis. To say the reception staff were robust was an understatement, but they were also some of the kindest and most generous-hearted people I had ever worked with. They also had to put up with GP's not running on time, and expecting them to sort out all their cock-ups. Not an easy place to work, and the receptionists often bear the brunt of the discontent and get paid the worst.

I find the people who call you rude and grumpy are those who have asked.for something you can't give, in a demanding manner then talk to you like crap because you cant help them (strikes a blow back for dental receptionists)

Yellowraincoat, all due respect but they prob couldnt do much with your mouth closed

I know it's a hard job, but there's really no need to be rude. And they so often are (more than any other profession I'd say).

When I registered, I phoned up and they said to come in and sign some forms. When I turned up, she asked me if I had proof of address. I said I didn't and she said I had been told to take it. I hadn't and told her so. She said "you will have been told". I repeated that I hadn't. She said "you will have been told". What could I do? I didn't want a stand up row, but she was so patronising. Luckily I wasn't working at the time, but if I had taken a day off, I would have been fuming as I had to go back to my flat.

I was fuming anyway. How patronising to tell the patients they had been told something, as if they were forgetful little children.

Lo and behold, a few weeks after, I saw her saying EXACTLY the same thing to another woman. Who was also arguing she hadn't been told.

Infuriating.

Fanjo, I worded it a bit wrong. She asked how far I could open my mouth. And I couldn't very far. If you get my drift...

Some patients are just massively arrogant and entitled with a huge superiority complex and attitude problem IME

Yellow, I didn't mean you with my last post

Typical receptionist, Fanjo, making people cry.

What did I ever do to you, eh?

Yes I am a power hungry beeyatch.

No, before anyone accuses me of being rude or grumpy, I am always chosen by the dentists to call and appease any angry patients

I may have to nc after this but.......

I have worked in general practice for 23 years. 15 as a receptionist and since then in various managerial posts. I am now a practice manager.

It depressed me no end to read this stuff. Yes its a hard job, yes you get a lot of shit but its really not that hard to be at least civil.

I'm afraid to say that I have known and still know some terrible receptionists.

It is a nightmare trying to juggle the needs of a patient with the availability of appointments but still, being rude only makes life harder.

That's an interesting article Theas and I can imagine its very true, I have been upset by a few different receptionists in different practices over the years and it is a bit if a cliche that they are rude
TBF, I don't think they are rude or intrusive when trying to book an appt, they are usually quite helpful. and I understand that doctors running late is not their fault.
there were 2 receptionists today, and I felt that one was a lot more empathetic, she could tell it was important to me and she made an effort to interrupt and tell me she had a cancellation.

The other wasn't trying to understand the issue.
The phones weren't ringing off the hook and there were 4 people sitting waiting.

My day didn't get any better after that either.

I love the receptionists at my doctors. I've been there a lot since I had my daughter, with one problem after another, and they've all been brilliant. There's one in particular who remembers my name, and if I call up she'll say, "Is that you Afternoon?" which makes me feel special.

I realise I'm very, very lucky but there are a lot of receptionists who work damn hard and yet get lumped in with the bad ones, which is a shame.

They're alright where I am. When I went in visibly distressed after my step-dad's brain haemorrhage they had empathy and got me in to see a doctor almost immediately, rather than sending me to wait in the walk in clinic. The receptionist didn't have to do that, she made phone calls to organise it, so I was extremely grateful that I didn't have to sit and embarrass myself in the waiting room. You do go them in an occasional stress, and I dislike sharing symptoms, but they don't seem to press for more than a general idea anyway, so it's no bother.

Missed twenty minutes of a half hour appointment this morning because the receptionist was utterly unhelpful and faffed around without really doing anything.

I don't usually get annoyed at inefficient receptionists, salespeople etc, because I know they're so horribly busy, but this one was unpleasant and so sharp in her tone- "Are you sure you have an appointment? Are you meant to be here? Can you just sit down for five minutes." after I came to check on her once I was 10 minutes late already. Then started spelling things out to me like I was completely stupid when giving me directions. Silly woman.

My drs surgery have been amazing to me. Receptionists always been polite and helpful right from start. Since developing asthma when I phone wheezing they know who I am and tell me to come down right away, always ask how I am or say "oh thats good you are beathing easier today" or something. Always really kind etc.

However have had completely shit ones before at previous places

SmellsLike That is awful about the Epipen appointment every 6 months. I carry one because of an allergy but I just ring up and order a repeat prescription, I haven't seen my Dr about the allergy for 15 years.

Also I think we are really lucky because our receptionists are lovely, we are pretty rural though so aren't always busy.

My grandmother was a doctor's receptionist in the 70s and 80s. She considered her day a success if noone got to see the doctor. I think she saw her job as the first line of defence for the doctor!

That's the thing spud, I am always very mindful that they have it tough so I am always very smiley and friendly and even apologtic to doctor's receptionists. I STILL get treated like dirt. And have done at other practices. It is not good enough. They are dealing with vulnerable people who could be feeling unwell and in pain.

I know I will get a bollocking for not attending my last appt. I had tried to call to cancel it about a dozen times over 2 days. Line constantly busy or ringing out.

My grandma is having a bout of depression The main symptom is anxiety. She was so scared of calling the horrible receptionists that she made herself sick and couldn't sleep the night before she had to call them. When she did call they were so nasty and obstructive that she ended up totally worked up. It ended up in a hospital admission .

The head receptionist at my surgery is wonderful. I've seen her all but march rude toerags out the door, but she'll sit in the waiting room with a box of tissues for anyone who is crying. Her name is Julie, if she's reading this!